1998 Pontiac Firebird

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/28/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  NONE

• 12/21/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON MY '98 PONTIAC FIREBIRD STARTED WARPING AT 10,000 MILES, THEY GOT TO A POINT WHERE I CAME CLOSE TO LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON RAIN SLICKED ROADS. THE EXTREME PULSATING OF THE BRAKES MAKES THE CAR VERY HARD TO CONTROL ON WET ROADS. THE WARPING OF THE ROTORS GETS WORSE AS THE BRAKES GET HOT. WHEN STARTING OUT IN THE MORNING THE WARPING ISN'T VERY NOTICABLE, BUT GETS MUCH WORSE AS THEY HEAT UP. WHICH MAKES IT DIFFCULT FOR THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY CHECK THE BRAKES COLD. AFTER MUCH COMPLAINING THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AT 13,417 MILES. THEY STARTED TO WARP AGAIN AT ABOUT 16,000 MILES. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL WEAR, AND THAT IT MUST BE MY BREAKING HABITS. LATER THE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT BREAK PROBLEMS ARE A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT WITH GM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT AND I HATE TO TOUCH THE BRAKE PEDAL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO ALL OF THE SHAKING OF THE CAR. I REALLY FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFTEY ISSUE. THE COMBINATION OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKES AND THE SEVERE PULSATING MAKES FOR A DANGEROUS SITUATION. YOUR HELP IN THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

• 12/10/2002· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  LEFT SIDE HEAD LIGHT IS OVERHEATING BURNING OUT THE AMBER BULB WHICH IS USED FOR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT. THE MOTOR FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE HEADLIGHT LID PERFORMS ERRATIC. THE HEADLIGHT MOTOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE LID HAS SHUT AND CONTINUES TO RUN. THE OWNER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN SOMETIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TS

• 12/02/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  REAR TAIL LIGHT HAS A DESIGN FLAW. IT ALLOWS MOISTURE INSIDE THE TAIL LIGHT AND HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH NUMEROUS REPLACEMENT BULBS AND A BUILD-UP OF MOISTURE. I FEEL IF THIS CONTINUES, IT WILL EVENTUALLY DAMAGE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE INSIDE OF THE TAIL LIGHT COVER APPEARS VERY DARK, ALMOST AS IF THE TAIL LIGHT BULB IS BURNED OUT, THEREFORE CAUSING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO FOLLOW AND WATCH MY EVERY MOVE ON SOME INSTANCES.*AK

• 11/09/2000· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING AT 40-45 MPH HIT A SOFT SPOT ON SHOULDER,VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, HIT MAIL BOX/ PHONE BOX/TREE, AND ROLLED OVER, COMMING TO A STOP IN MIDDLE OF ROAD, UPSIDE DOWN. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

• 11/05/2002· WHEELS

  CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WHEELS RIM BASE FAILED (TIRE SIZE P235 55 R16). *YH

• 10/27/1999· TIRES

  THE TIRE EXPLOSIVELY FAILED DUE TO SIDEWALL RUPTURE AT APPROX. 60 MPH ON A PORTION OF I-820 IN N. RICHLAND HILLS, TX. IT A MIRACLE THAT A MAJOR ACCIDENT DID NOT HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.( DOT NUMBER: 48W9 6BDR TIRE SIZE: P245/50ZR1 )

• 10/22/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  BOUGHT THE CAR IN JAN. OF 98, AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL 700 MILES. THAT IS WHEN THE GAS PEDAL STUCK FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER IT. LUCKILY I WAS ON A RURAL ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND IT STOPPED. IT HAPPENED 2 TIMES AFTER THAT, ONE TIME TAKING ME 100 MPH. THE FINAL TIME I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, WHICH BLEW MY MOTOR AND COST ME 4000 TO REPLACE. I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME HELP BECAUSE THIS IS A LIFE THREATING PROBLEM. *JB

• 10/13/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  EVERY EIGHT THOUSAND MILES THE VEHICLE PULSATES OR VIBRATES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, SPEED LIMIT BETWEEN 55-60, DEALER CONTACTED AND REPLACED THE BRAKES THREE TIMES FOR INCIDENT REOCCURRING, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

• 10/11/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WATER WAS SEEPING INTO THE RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT FROM RAIN CORRODING THE REFLECTIVE MATERIALS IN THE TAIL LIGHT, WHICH DIMINISHED THE ILLUMINATION. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. UPDATED 12/1/2006 - *NM

• 10/09/1998· SEAT BELTS

  DESIGN OF SEATBELT CAUSES IT TO BE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FOR DRIVER WHO IS 5'4" TALL.

• 10/06/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  IN A HARD BRAKING SITUATION, NO INCLEMENT WEATHER, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. IN A NORMAL BRAKING SITUATION THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 7,000 MILES. 4,000 MILES LATER, THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*AK

• 10/04/2002· WHEELS

  THE TIRE RIM IS CUTTING INTO TIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR

• 09/30/1999· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,STRUCTURE

  ROTORS ARE CONSTANTLY WARPING,STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES DURING STOPS. I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS TURNED 3 TIMES AND IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. MY GROUND EFFECTS ARE ALSO CONSTANTLY COMING LOOSE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WORKED ON ALOT AND THEY ARE LOOSE AGAIN.

• 09/26/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO STOP WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES SUDDENLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AT 45MPH. HAD HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 90 DEGREE ANGLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS INJURED, BUT NOT TREATED AT EMERGENCY ROOM, WENT TO PRIVATE DOCTOR.*AK

• 09/17/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

  IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. *AK

• 09/16/1998· STRUCTURE

  WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55-60 MP, THE DRIVER'S SIDE T TOP SHATTERED. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

• 09/11/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  PMEMATURE WEAR OF PADS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

• 09/10/1999· SEATSFire

  CONSUMER GOT INTO CAR AND SMELLED SMOKE. AFTER LOOKING AROUND, FOUND THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER SEAT WHERE THERE WAS A FIRE. RAN BACK INTO STORE TO GET SOME WATER TO PUT IT OUT. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE SEAT MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE. *AK

• 09/02/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 09/02/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ABS BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLLOR. *AK

• 09/02/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKES HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE AT THIS TIME. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES THE FRONT STARTED TO SHAKE. *AK

• 09/01/1999· STRUCTURE

  TICKING NOISE FROM ROOF PANEL NEAR SIDES WHEN OUTSIDE OF CAR GETS HOT. DEALER STATED THAT THE BODY WELDS WERE TOO CLOSE AND INJECTED ADDITIONAL INSULATION ON FOUR SEPARATE VISITS, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

• 09/01/1998· AIR BAGSCrash

  NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION CAUSING INJURY.

• 08/31/1998· SUSPENSION

  REAR SPRING COIL FAILED.

• 08/19/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE WHENEVER APPLYING BRAKES, IF BRAKING UNDER 15 MPH THE NOISE WILL BE VERY LOW, BUT NOTICEABLE. ALSO THE NOISE WILL PROGRESS AS THE DAY GO ON. *AKWHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE A BAG OF BOLTS. DEALER CHANGED BRAKE PADS TWICE, SAND THEM, GRIND DOWN THE ROTORS, CALLED GM TECHNICHIAN AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. CONSUMER IS LEASING VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO AN ENGINEER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

• 08/15/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ALL 4 BRAKE DISCS WERE WARPED. DEALER GROUND DOWN..STILL SLIGHT WARP!

• 08/13/2022· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  Fuel lines on this car are non-metallic. Apparently, some sharp-toothed critter bit the line causing a fuel leak as confirmed by the independent service center indicated on the uploaded invoice. There was no warning. I noticed a puddle under the differential. Replacement lines are no longer available from manufacturer. Problem must be known because repair kits (see invoice) are available. "Best" solution is replacement of existing nylon lines with metallic lines (as should have been done when the car was first manufactured). As this would be an extremely costly and impractical repair, may I suggest an alternative: cover the fuel lines with a braided stainless steel sheath. This would be effective as well as both practical and relatively inexpensive. Leaving the lines exposed risks further damage and increased possibility of fire. My car is available for inspection upon request.

• 08/09/1999· VISIBILITY

  WHILE TRAVELING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 07/17/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THROTTLE PEDAL GETS CAUGHT BY FLOOR MAT WHEN SLAMMED TO FLOOR FOR FAST ACCELERATION. FLOOR MAT DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO PREVENT IT FROM MOVING IN FRONT OF PEDAL, AT THIS POINT, VEHICLE STAYS ACCELERATING.*AK

• 07/12/2002· POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

  HARSH 1-2 UPSHIFT, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND CANNOT TRACE PROBLEM. CD PLAYER QUIT WORKING SOON AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED

• 06/14/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  HAVE HAD THE FRONT ROTORS TURNED TWICE. NOW THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE PAD MATERIAL SEPERATED FROM THE METAL BACKING. HAD TO USE TRANSMISSION AND EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THESE CARS IS TOTAL CRAP. *AK

• 06/13/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH. WHEN STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO REDUCE SPEED BRAKES DID NOT WORK.*AK

• 06/06/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  CAR WAS DRIVEN TO A FRIENDS HOUSE. AFTER BEING IN THE HOUSE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MIN. WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT OUR CAR'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. EVERYTHING IN THE COMPARTMENT WAS MELTED OR DISTORTED. INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR.

• 06/06/2001· SUSPENSION,VISIBILITY

  SPRINGS ARE ALSO WORN OUT, HAD WINDOW MOTORS REPLACED AND THEY STILL MAKE CRUNCHING NOISES. THIS CAR STAYS AT THE PONTIAC SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSTEAD OF MY GARAGE. *AK

• 05/26/1999· STEERING,AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH FISHTAILED CONSUMER'S CAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING. BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING DAMAGES TO FRONT WINDSHIELD WHICH TORE OPEN, ALLOWING CHEMICALS TO ESCAPE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR CONSUMER TO BREATH AND CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK

• 05/22/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  HAVE HAD TO HAVE FRONT ROTORS TURNED TWICE WITHIN 23,300 MILES.STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *AK

• 05/21/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 50MPH STEERING STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHILE BRAKING. THIS SECOND TIME AT 26,000 MILES THAT FRONT ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING. DEALER STATED IT WAS NATURAL WEAR AND TEAR.*AK

• 05/19/2000· SUSPENSION

  FRONT RIGHT LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY BROKE BECAUSE THE RIGHT SIDE WAS LOWER THAN LEFT SIDE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

• 05/10/1999· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

• 05/06/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHT LENS POPPED OUT.

• 04/30/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ROTORS WARPED PREMATURELY CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE AND JERK VIOLENTLY WHILE BRAKING IN CURVES. NM

• 04/16/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  BATTERY IS LINKING INTO WIRING HARNESS, AND IS HARD TO START MOTOR.*AK

• 04/10/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE REAR ROTORS SQUEAK WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PUSHED, A GROVE HAS DEVELOPED IN ONE OF MY REAR ROTORS. ALSO, WHEN I FIRMLY APPLY THE BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT PADS AND ROTORS ARE ONLY WARRANTEED FOR 12K/12MONTHS. THE VEHICLE IS STILL OPERATIONAL, I AM HOWEVER CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM MAY WORSEN. *AK

• 04/07/1999· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHT BEAMS WILL NOT RETRACT TO THE OPEN POSITION. HEADLIGHTS ALWAYS HAVE TO BE TURNED ON AT LEAST TWICE. FOUR TIMES THEY HAVE FAILED TO COME UP AT ALL. *AK

• 04/01/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ROTORS ARE WARPING IN LESS THAN 10K MILES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THIS FAILURE TWICE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND MY BRAKING SYSTEM. *AK

• 03/30/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE ACCELERATED BETWEEN 120 MPH AND140 MPH, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO APPLY THE BRAKES WHICH DIDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *AK

• 03/25/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ROTORS LOOK LIKE CRAP AFTER ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES. *AK

• 03/23/2004· AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO SEVERE DAMAGE. *NM DRIVER HIT SHOULDER ON THE STEERING WHEEL THAT CAUSED A LIGAMENT TEAR, AND PASSENGER SUFFERED A CUT ON THE HEAD. *LA

• 03/22/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHERFire

  I OWN A 98 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX,BLACK,FOUR DOOR AUTOMATIC.I HAVE BEEN PAYING FOR THIS CAR FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS.I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WAS DEAD SO WE HOOKED IT UP TO A POWER SAVE JUMPER CABLE BOX(THE ONE THAT DOESNT NEED ANOTHER CAR TO CHARGE THE BATTERY) IT STILL WOULDNT START SO MY STEP FATHER (WHO IS A MECHANIC) CAME OVER TO HELP, WE HOOKED IT BACK UP TO THE JUMPER CABLES AND HE TRYED TO TURN IT OVER, NOTHING.... I LEANED IN TO TRY AND TURN IT OVER AND MY FUEL INJECTOR MANIFOLD EXPLODED. THE PLASTIC CASING BLEW ABOUT 20 FT DOWN THE ROAD AND THE WHOLE TOP OF MY ENGINE WAS ON FIRE.THE FIRE BLEW MY MANIFOLD APART,MY FUEL INJECTOR IS COMPLETELY MISSING THE WHOLE PART WHERE MY SPARK PLUGS ARE IS BURNED AND SO ON THERE IS ALOT OF DAMAGE!!!I HEARD FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO THE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX.I HAVE TRYED TO RECEIVE ANY INFORMATION THAT WOULD HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE CONTACTED GM PERSONALLY AND AM HAVING IT LOOKED AT BY A GM SPECIALIST(SUPPOSEDLY).IM JUST VERY THANKFUL THAT MINE NOR MY STEPFATHERS FACE WAS UNDER THAT HOOD OR ONE OF US WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY BADLY INJURED.